Hearing aids are small devices, which are used to help people who are hard of hearing. Hearing aids can be worn either inside or outside the ear to improve audiology. Some are fitted inside the ear, while others sit behind the ear. Hearing aids are made of up three main component parts, including:
- a microphone
- an amplifier
- a speaker
Types of hearing aid
There are many different types of hearing aid; these include:
- Behind the ear hearing aids (BTE): these hearing aids have an earmould, which sits inside the ear. The external part of the hearing aid is attached to the earmould and sits behind the ear.
- In the ear hearing aid (ITE): in the ear hearing aids sit inside the ear and are not clearly visible.
- Completely in the canal hearing aids (CIC): completely in the canal hearing aids are even more discreet than ITE hearing aids. They are not suitable for people with very severe hearing problems.
- Body worn hearing aid (BW): this type of hearing aid consists of a small box, which can be attached to clothing or placed inside a pocket.
- Bone conduction hearing aid: this type of hearing aid is recommended for people who cannot wear other types of hearing aid and people who have conductive hearing loss. Bone conduction hearing aids work by vibrating in response to sounds.
How do hearing aids work?
There are now different types of hearing aid available that improve audiology; these include analogue and digital hearing aids.
Analogue hearing aid
Analogue hearing aids convert sounds into electrical signals, which are made louder by the amplifier component of the hearing aid. The hearing aid can be customised to suit the individual; the settings will usually be determined based on advice from the audiology specialist.
Digital hearing aids
Digital hearing aids are becoming increasingly common and almost all NHS patients are now given digital hearing aids, rather than analogue hearing aids. Digital hearing aids work by converting sounds into sets of numerical codes, which are then amplified; the information is then processed by a very tiny computer. The hearing aid can be adjusted and adapted to suit different environments and surroundings.
How do I choose which type of hearing aid I have?
It is best to discuss different types of hearing aid with your audiology professional. They will be able to explain the difference between the different types of hearing aid and recommend a hearing aid which is suitable for your individual prescription. Some types of hearing aid are not suitable for some people so it is always best to get professional advice.
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